Shakespeare MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (815 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Luke Mundy
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Weather aside, Organisation was not great
In full: Due to severe weather the Marathon was cancelled and only the half was run. I only knew this as a friendly runner next to me at the start told me. The PA system was useless and could not be heard until crossing the start line. Marshalls out on the course were great although when my sister turned up to support, she asked where the course went and they didn't know! Big thanks to the supporters who braved the weather!
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sarah Turner 15
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Weather put aside... Organisation needs to be looked at!
In full: Fab course, great athmophere, considering the horendous weather conditions.BUT After completing the race and endured the severe weather conditions (40mph head wind, sleet and rain) to find out "NO MEDAL" cmon!! Us runners run for a medal. The cost of the race entry we expect a goody bag, medal and T shirt. Not happy to have to register to get my medal sent in the post...I will run this race again, but sort this organisation PLEASE!! I would like to thank the Marshalls for doing a great job!
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: ringo100
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race ruined by dreadful communication
In full: My third Stratford marathon but not quite. Awful weather and terrible communication ended my marathon as like many others I had not heard of the cancellation. Luckily I ran Worcester two weeks earlier and will do next year. I felt for all those like me who were. Denied a marathon. This is normally a fantastic race and the weather usually lovely and to all those saying never again Stratford I would advise you to think again next year. I would also say to the race organizers please at the very least am end your website and apologise to all the full runners who did not hear the cancellation. Also end the silliyness of not offering sports drinks for a marathon. Stratford has a great reputation which has been slightly tarnished yesterday and must work to get it back. Weather like yesterday was freakish. The Marshall's and supporters on the course were fantastic
Please next year sunny weather a PA system that works and better communication
Also the last two Stratford marathons have had a dated medal to give us one with no date on was poor
See you next year
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: I<3medals
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Wet, windy, cold & an online decision shambles
In full: After reading one of the marshalls put a report in I decided as a spectator ( and a fellow marathon runner to do the same ) because quite honestly I was absolutely gutted for all those who had turned up expecting to run a marathon
Having pulled up in the car to drop the bf off I made him stay in the car ( as I was more suitably dressed for wet weather ) to find out where the start was to find that the race director and race referee were discussing about cancelling the marathon. This was at 8.50am!!! I said if come back in 10mins can you tell me if you have reached your decision, with the referee biking off to check The Greenway again
at 9am they said that very likely they were now cancelling the marathon but would announce it to runners as they pulled up, I did try to explain that there would be many disappointed people ( knowing only full well how much training goes into running a marathon I would be personally gutted ) but I really dont think the organisers really got where I was coming from
I think that the decision to cancel was the right one but it should have been done THE DAY BEFORE, the weather forecast wasnt going to change over night as as they explained to me, that the ruts and bumps on The Greenway on the 2nd lap would have made it dangerous for runners and they were worried they may injure themselves, I think that they would have had a lot more respect if they had posted this on the website the day before
I had driven round the course ( well not on The Greenway of course ) and had it been a nice day it really would have been a pleasant run
I think the major fault here is the notification of the cancellation of the marathon
Well done to all the runners who took part, it was appalling conditions. I hadnt planned to but in the end I stayed alot longer shouting and cheering everyone on, I drove round various parts of the course ( so if you had a grey car drive slowly past you and then saw me get out and cheer you on, you know who I am ) as I thought that you all deserved a medal
Oh wait, not everyone did, did they, they have out all the half marathon medals so those finishing towards the end didnt even get a medal, lets hope they sort that one out ( they should have just given out the marathon medals would have made up for the disappointment )
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Arthur Zammit 2
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A farce
In full: Told by runners around 3 miles that full was cancelled, finish at 13 mile with a medal and a banana, off my list for future races
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: kim sambrook
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: MY FIRST HALF - GREAT BUT NOT DUE TO THE WEATHER!
In full: This was my first half and was a little disappointed.
There was hardly any direction as to where to go in the town once parked, marshals however were amazing! Will definitely do it again as the course itself was lovely, even if it was pricey (Medal and tea / coffee at the end, was hoping for a tshirt :-() Nothing could be done about running out of medals with the full being cancelled. But as it was my first, it will definitely be memorable!
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: orlando corea
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely HM, shame about the horrific storm
In full: An honour to win this race in such dreadful weather conditions. Thank you to the organisers and marshals and well down to all the hardy souls who braved it. Commiserations to the marathon entrants and the race being cancelled. I think it was the right decision, such a pity that not everyone knew it had been and only discovered it at the split point at mile 12.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Rod Perons
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race but weather atrocious this year
In full: Expected to run the marathon. Sensible decision by the organisers to reduce the marathon to a half, if disappointing. Thank you to all the volunteers who cheerfully stood out in the gale.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Mark Lowe 3
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: No chip time!
In full: Having slogged round this half marathon in atrocious weather (and yes, I know the weather isn't their fault) I got a banana, a bin-bag and a dateless medal and now I see my chip time has not been registered!
Now noone will believe I even did it!
Still, big thanks to all the race marshals, who were fantastic. I'd rather have been running that standing out there in that weather.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Michael Bright 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Wet! Wet! Wet!
In full: I had been targeting this race to do a sub 3 hour and at least get a GFA so was disappointed at the cancellation but I think it was the right decision. While of course marathon runners are a though bunch it is unfair to ask people to marshal and man water stations in those conditions for over 6 hours. However, the decision should have been made sooner.
I agree no goody bag for a marathon for that cost! Surely the local business can donate stuff to save reducing the amount raises for charity.
The road section of the course was fine but not sure about the lane even in good conditions.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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